After nearly 30 years, North Dakota State University women's basketball will take on a new look in 2008-09.
Carolyn DeHoff
begins her first season as the Bison women's basketball head coach after successful stints at Weber State, Wyoming and most recently Utah.
North Dakota State has a pair of exhibition games, Monday, Nov. 3 against the University of Mary, and Thursday, Nov. 6, against Minnesota-Crookston. Both games begin at 7 p.m. in the Bison Sports Arena.
DeHoff, who replaces Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach Amy Ruley, hasn't stopped moving since her feet touched down in Fargo last April.
North Dakota State returns six players including one starter from last season's 17-11 team that tied for second in The Summit League with a 12-6 record. The Bison regain the services of one player, and added a prep standout and a pair of transfers to the mix.
There was a new system to be learned, but DeHoff sensed an intrepid spirit has taken Bison women's basketball by storm.
"With an eagerness to learn, the players have embraced the opportunity to contend in post season play," said DeHoff, who is entering first season as a head coach at the collegiate level.
"Each member of this year's squad exemplifies a tenacious work ethic, allowing our staff to teach in an environment where each student-athlete can reach their full potential. As a team we are looking to improve each and every day."
North Dakota State graduated five seniors from last year's team including a trio of double-figure scorers. Lisa Bue (16.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg) was The Summit League Player of the Year and is playing professionally overseas with former Bison post player Brandee Gibbs.
"As experience is gained, our players will thrive in the motion offense. Motion allows players to play to their own strengths as well as their teammates' strengths within the foundations and principles of the offense," said DeHoff.
"This year's team has a versatile make up of ten players which includes a young athletic backcourt and a fierce presence in the paint."
Six-foot-two senior Jerri Penley (Willis, Mich./Ypsilanti Calvary Christian Academy) is the lone starter back for NDSU. Penley caught fire during The Summit League portion of the schedule and became a force to reckon with inside on both sides of the floor.
Penley, who averaged 8.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, was second in the league and would have ranked in the top 10 nationally in blocked shots (2.8 bpg). She hit 57.4 percent from the field in league games and 55 percent overall.
"Jerri returns to the hardwood in a leadership role as the lone senior," said DeHoff.
"While staying healthy is key for Penley, her senior season will be one we anticipate for the record books."
A Summit League Player of the Week in 2008, Penley enters the season No. 4 all-time at NDSU with 140 blocks and tied the school's single-game with seven at Oakland.
Returning inside is 6-2 junior Jill Zaruba, (Monticello, Minn./Monticello HS) who averaged 4.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game off the bench last season. She hit 74.3 percent from foul line and was second behind Penley with 29 blocked shots. Six-foot junior Ashley Samuelson (Underwood, Minn./Colorado State/Underwood HS) also joins the fray in the paint this season. Samuelson missed last year with a knee injury after transferring from Colorado State.
Abby Plucker
, a 5-11 sophomore from Parker, S.D. (Parker HS), gained vaulable experience last season. Plucker (3.4 ppg, 3 rpg), displayed the ability to work inside and hit from long range. Six-foot junior Megan Shea (Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale HS) is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened season after showing glimpses of her athleticism early in 2008. Transfer Skye Smith, a 5-9 junior from New Orleans, La. (Eastern Wyoming/Houston Northshore HS), is expected to contribute.
"Our guard play will rely on athleticism and consistent shooting, while our post play finds strength in shot blocking and rebounding," said DeHoff.
Inger Hodgson
, a 5-9 junior from Barneveld, Wis. (Barneveld HS), returns to the backcourt after 3.3 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game in a backup role last season. Whitney Trecker, a 5-9 sophomore from New Prague, Minn. (New Prague HS), provided a spark off the bench with her spirited play.
A pair of newcomers, 5-8 freshman Katie Birkel (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast HS) and 5-7 junior Nicole Vigil (Albuquerque, N.M./Clarendon CC) (Albuquerque HS), are both expected to come in and hit the ground running. The gritty Birkel was Nebraska's "Miss Basketball" in 2008, while Vigil was among the national juco leaders in assists and assist/turnover ratio.
North Dakota State face a tough non-league schedule including the Nov. 14 opener with the University of Northern Iowa where NDSU looks to "Pack the House". There are trips to Minnesota and Wyoming, along with the Loyola Marymount Thanksgiving Tournament where the Bison face Georgetown in the first round and either Idaho State or host LMU on the second day.
Eligible for The Summit League postseason tournament in 2009, the Bison begin play at home Dec. 6 with Centenary College and Dec. 8 with defending tournament champion Oral Roberts University.
It will be a challenge, one that DeHoff, the coaching staff and players realize the task at hand.
"With just 10 players on the team, depth will be an issue, so look for all the players to have ample minutes as they seek to contribute," said DeHoff.
"There is an eagerness within the team and the program to be in the forefront of women's basketball which embodies the true spirit of Bison athletics."
